Life is so sweet when you have friends who are down to book the trip, cover themselves in glitter, beach rot, get ready at the dining room table, view the club through a sociological lens, dance like no one is watching, set the vibe on the dance floor, be vulnerable on the patio, take 1,000 digi cam pics, cook dinner, and embrace the magic that is this silly little life!!!! My cup overflowth & my heart is so full of love. Gracais para todo, Puerto Rico❤️🇵🇷🌺🌴💃🪩
A couple months after I moved to Bozeman, I joined a band with two people I’d basically just met. Now two years later, we actually have a song on Spotify! I definitely didn’t expect this side quest to materialize, but it’s been fun to get back on my drum kit, play a few shows around town, and take every opportunity to dress up and act like a rock star.
The new song is called 70s Summer, and it was written by Parker and Ian before I was in the picture. But we all went to Nashville last year to bring it to life with my oldest friend in the world, @akaconzo (aka our musical sensei), who produced it, mixed it, and even added some lovely piano on top of Parker’s magical voice and Ian’s saucy guitar licks. Now, it’s finally out in the world.
Photo by ✋ with the assist from @jordyngeruso
Plus @hairbybaileygonsalves and @rare.bird.bzn made us look snazzy with some fabulous hair styling and wardrobe
Some of my favorite photos from the Big Sky PBR this summer.
I took the first one on my hands and knees underneath the platform the bull riders stand on, and it turns out it’s kind of a splash zone. Felt something soft and wet on my camera when I crawled out, and I was splattered from the chest down with bull shit (zoom in on the rump in pic 6 for a peek at the poop).
The last photo is a note that Parker (I know it’s complicated, I try not to think about it too much) left with a cookie she gave me after dropping me off at the airport on Christmas Eve. We hung out for the first time the day before.
This year I convinced her to go one step further fly back with me for Christmas.
When people ask me why I moved to Bozeman, I don’t have a great answer. I didn’t come here for a job, didn’t come for a person, and didn’t really come to ski/fish/climb/boat the mountains and rivers. It’s one of the least considered moves I’ve made in my life, so I always sound pretty confused when I try to answer the question. But I know why I’ve stuck around.
📸 @trustyproductions catching me mid-roar
Over the past five years, quite a few couples have trusted me to document their weddings, and I'm grateful to them for it.
They've given me more than just the opportunity to travel and share in their celebration–almost all of them have taught me something about love. Witnessing their vows first hand, then listening to them over and over while I cut together a video, I get to see portraits of young love, hope and expectation, and they've left a lasting impression on me. In an unpredictable, often scary world, it's comforting to know that love is a constant.
I'm hoping to book a few more weddings in the coming years. As a wedding videographer, I focus on the real, raw stuff, and I like to try things–but only if you're cool with it–like experimenting with super 8 or VHS, or interviewing your friends. I’ve even hiked miles into the backcountry to meet a bridal party on their way back from a camping trip, and though I'm not sure it was worth the 10 seconds that ended up in the video, I had a blast doing it.
If you're interested in hiring me, or know a happy couple who might be, shoot me a message or send an email from my website (linked in bio). There, you can also learn more about how I approach weddings and find examples of my work.
Here’s to all you newlyweds and soon-to-be’s! I hope to hear from some of you and to bear witness on your wedding day.
Our ragtag team of dishwashers, line cooks, busboys and chefs are proud to serve up the first ever Free Lunch! 24 pages of, erm, ‘content’ for your consumption that’s ad-free, gluten free, all organic, and sure to invigorate, enlighten, and inspire.
My goal with this project was to make a space for creatives to publish work they love without any financial strings attached. It’s pretty cool to see your own stuff in print, so I asked a few folks if they wanted to whip up some words, photos, art, or anything in between for this little production. Thankfully, a few of them said yes, and the best part of Free Lunch was their enthusiasm and sharing of their creative gifts.
Unfortunately for all you digital denizens of the deep dark web, Free Lunch only exists in physical form—with only 40 copies in rotation, I’m hoping for a spirited bidding war on the black market.
Cover: Elijah and Aidan Wodehouse
Contributors:
Vaughn Rodriguez
Lilian Pitser
Dustin Heger
Parker Genau
Mirabella Markham
Mary Holohan
Garrett Kuhn
Me
Make cool stuff with your friends! You won’t regret it.
I call this one The Look.
One night at the Özkan family cabin back in May, we all broke into impromptu improv around the fire; paired off and play-acted as mother and son, two jazz musicians/ex-lovers, and captain and, um, deckhand?
It was totally unhinged and really quite special to spend time with people, most of whom I’ve known since 7th grade, that all feel comfortable enough to let their guards down and act like the kids we once were and probably always will be.
Hello friends, family, strangers, and the occasional bot! A little update:
After three long years of life, love and leisure, I’m leaving Marquette, MI. This summer I’m trading the fresh coast for the east coast and moving to Westerly, Rhode Island for an internship with the production company @gnarlybay
I’ve been following their work since I was 15, and they’ve been a constant inspiration for me as an aspiring filmmaker. I’m stoked to see how they operate, learn absolutely everything I can, and hopefully help them tell compelling stories.
I’ll only be out there for two months—I don’t have a clue what will come after, but I’m excited to see where the next year takes me.
I won’t say I’m never coming back, cuz the last time I tried to leave this place I ended up staying for two more years. But it feels like the fall will find me someplace else.
To everyone here that’s shared a hike on the shoreline, danced with me at a house show, gave me a catch at the crag, paddled out into the surf (and made sure I didn’t drown), let me take their photo, shared a good meal or otherwise made this place feel like home, I’ll always be grateful. And I’ll be sure to come visit.
thanks for the portrait @_leahdawson
30 hours in Marquette, in photos.
Vaughn put up the first free ascent of this gorgeous lakeside pillar a few weeks ago—on Thursday he came back for one last lap at sunset before the spring melt.
Later that night the Northern Lights came out, and it was probably the craziest thing I’ve ever seen with my own peepers. A complete miracle.
The sun rose the next morning over the big lake into a big blue sky.
And that night I played my first house show with a pretty awesome band. Our one and only performance was an absolute riot and we’re all a little sad that it’s over. But there has been talk of a 10 year reunion…
I call this one ‘The Kiss of Death’. Shaker saying hi to Parker’s 6-point over the holidays.
I used to like poking deer’s eyeballs after my dad shot one and strung it up in the garage. I’ve since stopped playing with pupils, but I still like to watch while the unlucky buck or doe gets processed. The dogs do too.
